Cultivator.



R. H. GRIFFITH.

' OULTIVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED O0T.1'7, 1908.

3 BHEBTS-SHBET 2.

Mn: i (g 37' %\'l 1' 1E; 5 51 Witneoow awwm Patented July 13, 1909.

R. H. GRIFFITH.

GULTIVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED 00117, 1908.

Patented July 13, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Wanna Quorum;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD H. GRIFFITH, OF BELLEVU-E, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE OHIO CULTIVATOR, COMPANY, OF BELLEVUE, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

CULTIVATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1909.

Application filed October 17, 1908. Serial No. 458,170.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD H. GRIFFITH, a citizen of the United States, residing-at Bellevue, in the county of Huron and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cultivators, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to Cultivators, and more particularly to that type of cultivator in which. the main frame is pivotally mounted on the horizontal portion of a cranked axle and the ground wheels are pivotally connected to the vertical portions of said cranked axle, whereby said axle can be moved about its pivotal connection to said main frame and thus raise and lower the main frame and the parts carried thereby.

The object of the invention is to provide a cultivator of this character in. which the several parts will be so arranged and so connected one to the other that, when the axle is moved about its pivotal connection to the main frame, the parts will neither bind nor be subjected to undue strain; to provide such a cultivator in which the ground wheels can be adjusted laterally; to provide extensible foot levers for actuating the ground wheels about their pivotal connection to the axle; to provide means for locking the ground wheels against movement about their vertical axes;

and to improve the construction and ar- 'rangement of the several parts of the ma.-

chine, whereby a more efficient operation is secured.

With these objects in view my invention consists in certain novel features and in certain combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter tobe described, and then more.

particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a cultivator embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a rear-elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof: Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken on the line a: m of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 5 is a detail, sectional view of the locking device; and Fig. 6 1s a sectional .view, taken transversely to the connecting bar.

In these drawings I have illustrated the preferred form of my invention and have shown the same as comprislng a main frame 1 pivotallyconnected to the horizontal portions of a two part axle 3, the two portions of which areso arranged as to form a single cranked axle. The main frame is preferably connected to each of the portions 2 by means of double bearings carried by brackets 5 which are rigidly secured to the main frame. A collar (i is mounted on each part, 2, of-the axle between the two parts of the bearing l and is adapted to be secured in its adjusted position by means-ofa set screw 7, thus per-- mitting each part of the axle to be adjusted transversely of the main frame. By means of a construction hereinafterdescribed the two parts of the axle are, normally, rigidly connected one to the other and a single cranked axle is formed which is adjustable transversely to the direction of movement of the cultivator, but which, in all other rcspects, operates as'au integral axlc. Suitable bearings are mounted on the vertical portions of the axle 3 and are provided with spindles adapted to carry ground wheels. in the present instance-each of these beara recess or hearing in the upper portion thereof adapted to receive thc lower end of one of the vertical portions of the axle. This hearing or casting S secured in position upon the vertical portion of the axle by means of a bolt 9 extending through the axle and having a washer 1O .litting within a transverse slot 11 formed in the casting, the length of the slot being greater than the length of the washer, thus allowing the casting a certain limited movement in either direction about its vertical axis. A spindle 12 is rigidly secured to the lower end of the casting 8 and is adapted tosupport one of the ground wheels .13. inch of the castings S is also provided with an inwardly cxtcuding arm ll having its inner end located with in convenient rcachof the foot of the driver and provided with a foot piece 13 which .isreversibly mounted-on the end of the arm by means of a bolt 16 extending tnrough the arm and through an aperture 17 formed near one end of the foot piece 15, thus enabling the arm or foot lever ll to be extended, \vhcu the ground wheels havc'bccn adjusted latcrally of the main frame and are in their outermost position, by reversing the position of the arm or lever 1- Suitable means are also provided for so connecting the groulul wheels one to theothcr that they will move in unisonand the forward movement of one of ings comprises a bracket or casting 8 having the foot levers will move both of the ground wheels about their vertical axes in one -di-- rection, while the forward movement of the other foot lever will move both ground wheels in the opposite direction. This conarranged in a substantially horizontal plane and in substantial alineinent with the axis of the horizontal portion of the axle 3. In the present instance I have shown the bar connecting the two arms 18 as extensible and comprising two end portions 19 each pivotallyv connected at its outer end to the adjacent/arm l8 and having its inner end adjustably secured to a connecting member or bar 20, which, in the presentinstance, comprises an angle bar pivotally supported on the outer ends of arms 21, each of which is mounted on-a vertical pivot 22 carried by the main frame.

- The rods 19 may be adjustably secured to the angle bar in any suitable manner and I have here shown this bar as provided near each end with a block 23 having a screwthreaded 'member or bolt 2-1 extending through the horizontal portion of the angle bar 20vand provided on its outer end with a nut- 25. That portion of the block 23 lying in the angle of the bar 20 is cut away or grooved, as shown at 26, and is adapted to receive the adjacent rod 19; The diameter ofthe groove 26 relative to the diameter of the rod is such that, when the nut is tightened down on the bolt 2 1 to draw the.

block 23 toward the under surface of the angle bar, the rod 19 will- ,be clamped firmly in the corner of the angle bar, but, by loosening the nut 25, the. rod 19 can be readily adjusted longitudinally of the connecting' member or angle bar 20.. Suitable means may also be provided for locking this connecting rod against movement, thereby ment about their vertical axesr In the presmeans as comprising. an angular clip 27 having one arm slotted, as shown at 28, and

adapted'to be secured by means of a boit' 29.-

to oneofthe side members of the main frameand having its other. or horizontal arm provided with an aperture 30 adapted to receive the upper end .of'the bolt 31 .by

. means, of which the adjacent arm 21 is sea owed to the connecting member or angle some' distance above I the" clip 27 may be moved} into Ia f-vertieal locking the ground wheels 13 against move 50.

-ena instance I have shown this locking-- waves position and then moved downwardly to bring "the apertured arm of the clip into engagement with the upper end of the bolt 31. Then by tightening down the bolt the clip will be locked in its position and the connecting rod will be locked against move ment.

The axle 3 may be moved about its pivotal connection to the main frame 1 in any suitable manner, but I prefer the mechanvism herein shown for thatpurpose and which-consists of a shaft 32 journaled in bearings 33 secured to the main frame near the forward end thereof and provided with depending arms 34 which extend downwardly and forwardly and are preferably secured to the outer ends of the shaft 32, which outer ends lie beyond the side members of the main frame. These arms 34 are connected by means of rods 35 to the cast.- ing 8 on the corresponding side of the machine, which casting is provided. with an eye-bolt 36 on which the corresponding end of the link or rod 35 is pivotally secured. A lever'37 is rigidly secured to one end of the shaft 32 and extends rearwardly to within reach of the driver. provided with the usual spring-pressed detent 38 adapted to engage a toothed segment 39 for locking the lever and the parts which it operates against movement. Thus,

. it will be seen that the two partstof the axle are rigidly connected one to the other and by actuating the lever 37 to move the shaft 32 in aforward direction about its longitudinal axis, 'the' bearing castings 8, and, consequently, the cranked axle to which they are secured, will be moved about atransverse axis carrying the ground wheels rearwardly relatively. to the main frame, thereby lowering the main frame. hen the lever is moved in the opposite direction. the ground wheels will be meved forwardly relatively tothe main frame and this frame raised to its normal or elevated position. It will be noticed that in this operation the several arms which support the connecting rod for the ground wheels are mounted on different parts of the machine, the arms 18 being mounted on the bearing castings on This lever is I the axle and the arms 21 being mounted on there would be a tendency to move the inner-ends of the arms relatively one to the other anda severe strain would, be placed upon the'armsand the connecting rod, in-

and probably/resulting in breakage, To

terfering with-the action of the machine the axes of the arms 18 in substantial alineaxes of the arms" inent with the axis of the horizontal portion of-the cranked axle which axis is also the p Consequently, there is no tendency to in e the inner ends of the arms and no strain is placed upon the several parts.

The cultivating members comprise beam. 40 each provided with a series of hoes or shovels -l l Each of these beams is provided at its forwa 'd'jeiid with a vertically arranged part 421ml led in a double bearing 2- and beldyagai stl vertical movement therein. by

- lliefiIlS of a collar 1 secured to the member.

4-2 between the two parts'of said bearing. The bearings 43 are in the form of forwardly extending brackets carried by double bearings 45 which are journaled on the horizontal end portions of a yoke 46 carried by a tongue i-T secured to the forward portion of the main frame 1. The bearings 45 are held against longitudinal movement on the yoke 46 by means of collars 48 mounted on said yoke between the two .parts of the bearings A5. The beams 40 extend rcarwardly from! the vertical portions 42 to points beyond the rear end of the frame 1 and are there provided with suitable means for raisinc; and lowering/the same. In the present instance I have shown each of the beams 40 as provided with a rod 49 extending through apart carried by the beam and having a collar 50 secured thereto beneath said beam to limit the vertical movement of said rod relatively to said beam. A second collar 51 is secured to the rod 49 at a point some distance above the beam and a spring 52 is coiled about the rod between 'the-collar 51 and the part carried by the beam. The upper end of each rod 49 is pivotally connected to an arm 53 which is pivotally supported from the main frame 1 and is connected by means of a link 5'4 with an arni55 which is rigidly secured to a lever 56 pivotally mount-- ed on the main frame 1 and extends on the side of thepi'votal center opposite that portion of the lever 56 carrying the handle. This lever is provided with the usual springpressed pawl 57 adapted to engage a segmental rack 58 mounted on the main frame. Thus, it will be seen that by moving the upper or handle portion of the lever 56 downwardly the rod 49 and the beam connected thereto will be elevated and that by moving the lever 56 upwardly and forwardly the beam will be lowered, and as the forward novement of the lever continues the rod 49 w ill be forced downwardly and the spring 5 placed u'nder tension, thus tending to force he shovels 41, into the ground. By moving the levers 536- to their extreme forward position the entire weight of the machindwill be thrown upon the beams and the engagement with the ground.

The beams 40 are provided with a suitable spreading device (.oniprising upwardly extending arms or bars 5!) pivotally connected at their lower ends to the beams and pivotally connected at their upper ends to the bar 20 supported from the main fi'au'ie l. Links (it) are pivotally connected at one end to the arms 59 and extend upwardly and inwardly and have their upper ends pivotally con nected to a sliding bracket-or block (31 which is mounted on a T-shaped guide block (32 supported from the angle bar 20 forming a part of the connecting rod between the two ground wheels. The slide block (31 is connected by means of a link (33 with the lower end of a lever tllwliich is pivotally mounted on the angle bar 20 and is provided with the usual spring-pressed pawl (35 adapted to engage a segmental rack (Hi. Thus, by actuating the lever (St and the slide block (31, the

beams will be simultaneously moved iiiwardly or outwardly.

The operation of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that I have provided a cultivator of this character in which the movement of the main frame relatively to the ground wheel will be effected without imposing any undue strain on the several parts thereof or causing any of theseparts to bind in their operation. It will further be apparent that I have provided a machine of this character in which the ground wheels an be adjusted laterally to the main frame and which are so connected one to the other as to move in unison; that I have provided means for locking these wheels against movement when so desired; that I have provided extensible foot levers whereby the foot pieces of said levers are within convenient reach of the driver in any lateral position of, the ground wheels; and further, that I have so constructed and arranged the several parts of the machine as to forma compact, easily operated cultivator having a high degree of etliciency.

I wish it. to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. For instance, the character of the connection formed between the ground wheels and the axle 3, consisting, in the present in stance, of the bracket or casting 8, may be greatly altered without departing from the spirit of the invention, the essential characteristic of this connection being that it permits the ground wheels to be moved about a vertical axis or an axis arranged at substantially right angles to the horizontally pivoted axle 3.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a cultivator, the combination, with said pivotal tial alinement with the axis of-the horizon-- tal portion of the axle. v ,2. In a cultivator, the combination, Witlra' main frame, a cranked axle having its hori- Wheel s connected to horizontal portion of said axle,

zontal portion pivotally connected to said main frame, brackets pivotally mounted on the vertical portions of said-axle, and ground comprising a part supported from said main frame and a part supported from each of said brackets and connected to the part carried by said main frame,

3. In a cultivator, the combination, with a main frame, a cranked axle having its horizontal portion pivotally connected to said main frame, brackets pivotally mounted on the vertical portions of said axle, and ground ,wheels connected to said brackets, of'a forwardly extending arm pivotally to each of said brackets and having its axis in substantial alinement with the axis of the and an adjustable rod connecting the forward ends of said arms.

4. In -a cultivator, main frame, a cranked axle having its horizontal portion pivotally connected to said main frame, brackets pivot-ally mounted on the vertical portions of said axle, and ground Wheels connected to said brackets, of an arm 1 pivotally connected to each of said brackets and having its axis in substantial alinement with the axis of thehorizontal portion of said axle, rods e'ach connected at one end to one of said arms, a connecting member sup -o ported from said mam frame, and means for adj'ustably connecting each of said rods to said connecting member.

5. In a cultivator, the combination, with a main frame, a cranked axle having its horizontal portion pivotally connected to said main frame, brackets pivotaily mounted on the vertical portions of'said axle, and-ground Wheels connected to said brackets, of an arm pivotally connected to each of said brackets, two rods each having one end connected to one of said arms," a connecting member mov-.

ably supported from said main frame, and

means for adjustably connecting said rods. to i a said connecting member.

6. In a cultivator, the combination, With-a mainframe, a cranked axle having its horizontal portion'pivotally connected to said main frame, brackets pivotally mounted on the vertical portions of said! sele,'and ground said brackets, of means for COIID'GCtlIlg said brackets one .to the other connected ,to cause the same to move the combination, With a zontal portion pivotally connected the vertical portions of said axle, and

wheels connected to said brackets, of means 105 cal axes in unison,

Wheels connectedto said brackets, of an arm pivotaliy connected to each of'said'b'rackets, rods each having one end connected to one of said arms, an'angle bar supported from said main frame,

said rods thereto.

zontal portion pivotally connected to said main frame, brackets pivotally' mounted on the vertical portions of sald axle, and ground wheels connected to said brackets, of an arm 7 pivotally' connected to each of said brackets, rods each having one. nected to one of said arms, arms pivotally connected to said main frame and extending substantially parallel with the firstmentioned arms, an angle bar caried' by the outer ends of the last-mentioii clamping block carried by sai angle bar near each end thereof and adapte to engage the free end of the adjacent rod and clamp the same to said angle bar.

' 8. In a cultivator, main frame, a cranked axle having its hor zontal portion pivotally connected to said: main frame, brackets pivotally moiunted on the vertical portions of said axle, anii ground wheels connected to said brackets, f means for connecting said Wheels photo the other about their verti-j cal axes in unison, and an.extensible foot .lever carried by each of said brackets,

the combination, with a 9. In a cultivator, main frame, a'cranked axle having its horito 'said main frame, loracketspivotally mounted 0g OilIl for connecting said wheels one to the other to cause the same to move about their vertian arm extending in-' eaclrof said brackets, and .a

\vardly from foot piece reversibly connected atone end to the inner end of each of said arms.

10, In a cultivator, the combination, with a main frame, a cranked axle having its horizontal portion pivotally connected to said mainframe, brackets pivotally the vertical portions of said axle, and ground wheels connected to said brackets, of means for connecting said heels one to the other to cause the same tomove about their vertical axes in unison, an arm wardly from each of said brackets, a foot piece having an aperturenear one end there. of, and a bolt adapted to extend through said aperture and through said arm.

11. In a cultivator, thecombination, a main frame, a cranked axlehavling its horizontal portion pivotally connected to said mainframe, brackets pivotally mounted on v the vertical portions ofsaid axle, and ground and a locking member carg0 ried' by said angle bar and'adapted to secure end pivotallyv con- 30 ed arms, a 5'.

the combinatibn, with a 90 mounted on extending inwith at necting rod connected at its opposite ends with eachof said brackets, anarm supported from said main frame and pivotally connected to a part of said rod and having an upwardly extending portion, a clip movably mounted on the main frame and having an aperture in one part thereof adapted to receive the upwardly extending part of said arm.

12. In a cultivator, the combination, with a .ma in frame, a cranked axle having its horizontal portion pivotally connected to said main frame, brackets pivotally mounted on the vertical portions of said axle, and ground wheels connected to said brackets, of a forwardly extending arm connected to each of said brackets, rods each connected at one end to one of said arms, other arms supported from the main frame, a connecting bar, bolts for connectingsaid last-mentioned arms to said connecting bar, one of said bolts extending above said ar1n, an angle clip having a slot in one arm thereof, a bolt extending through said slot for connecting said clip to the main frame, the other arm of said clip having an aperture and being adapted to cngagesaid upwardly extending bolt.

'13. I11 a cultivator, the combination, with a main frame, a two part cranked axle, the

horizontal portion of each part of said axle being pivotally supported from said main frame, a bracket journaled on the vertical portion of each part of said axle, and ground wheels connected to said bracket, of an adjustable connecting bar extending between said brackets.

1st. In a cultivator of the character described, a main frame, bearings carried by said main frame, a two part cranked axle, each part of said axle having its horizontal member mounted in one of said bearings, adjustable means for locking each part of said axle against longitudinal movement in said bearing, a bracket pivotally mounted on the vertical portion of each part of said axle, a ground wheel connected to each of said brackets, a forwardly extending arm pivotally connected to each of said brackets, and an adjustable connecting member secured at its opposite ends to each of said connected to each of said brackets haw axes of the horizontal portions or the tvvo parts of said axle, rods each connected at one end to one of said arms, a connecting bar supported from said main frame, and means for adjustably connecting said rod to said connecting bar.

16. In a cultivator scribed, the combination, with a main frame, an axle supported therefrom and movable about a longitudinal axis, a bracket secured to each end of said axle and movable about a vertical axis, and ground wheels carried by said brackets, of an arm pivotally connected to each'of said brackets and having its axis in substantial alinement with the axis of said axle, and a rod connecting the ends of said arms.

17. In a cultivator of the character described, the combination, with a main frame, a two part longitudinally adjustable axle supported from said main frame, a bracket secured to each end of said axle and movable about a vertical axis, and ground wheels carconnccted to each of said brackets, said arms having their axes in substantial alinement with the axis of said axle, and a rod connecting the ends of said arms.

18. I11 :1 culthator of the character dea cranked axle pivotally connected thereto, a spindle supported from each end of said axle and movable about a vertical axis, and ground wheels carried by said spindles, of an arm connected with each of said spindles and movable about a horizontal axis, said horizontal axis being arranged in substantial alinement with the axis of said axle, and a rod connecting the ends of said arms.

15.). In a cultivator of the charactcr described, thecombination, with a main'framc, a two part longitiulina lly adjustable axle supported from said main frame. a spindle supported from each end of said axle. and movable about a vertical axis. aml ground wheels carried by said spindles, of an arm connected with each of said spindles and movable about a horizontal axis, said horizontal axis being'arrangcd in substantial alinemnt with the axis ofsaid axle, anda rod connecting the-ends of said arms.

20. In a cultivator, the combination, with a main frame, a cranked axle having its horizontal portion pivotally connected to said main frame. brackets iivotally monntedon the vertical. portions of said ,axle. and ground wheels connected to said brackets, of an arm pivotally connected to each of said brackets, each arm having its axis in substantial alincment with the axis otthe hori- Zontal portion of said axle, amt means for connecting said arms one to thoother,

t a main frame, a cranked axle having its of the character de 21.1112. cultivator, the combination, with ricd by said brackets, ofan armpivotally scribed, the combination, with a main frame,

said main frame,

ving said spindles to said axle, extending arm pivotally mounted on each of saidconnecting means and having its axis in substantial alinement with the axis of the be moved about a 'otally mounted on horizontal portion ofsaid axle, and a rod connecting the forward ends of said arms one to the other.

' 22. In a cultivator, a main frame, ground wheels, said ground wheels, means for connecting said spindles to said main frame, whereby said ground wheels may be moved about a vertical axis to steer the oultivator and may horizontal axis, arms pivspindles for means andhaving their axes arranged in substantialahnement with the horizontal the combination, with each of said connecting axis of said connecting means, and a rod COIlIlGCt-lllgSfitld arms one to the other.

23. In a cultivator, the combmation, with a main frame, a cranked axle having its hori zontal portion pivotally connected to sai main frame, and ground wheels pivotally connected to the vertical portions of said axle, ofconnecti'ng means for said ground Wheels pivotally connected to the respective pivotal conneetionsbetweenthe ground wheels and said axle, the axes of the pivotal connections for said connecting-means being in substantial alinement with the axis of the horizontal portion ofsaid axle.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

, RICHARD H. GRIFFITH. Witnesses:

E. H. ERDRICH, E. A. KEMP. 

